Red Sox headed to ALCS

Wednesday

Oct 9, 2013 at 11:35 AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Shane Victorino’s infield single snapped a seventh-inning tie and journeyman Craig Breslow gave Boston a huge boost out of the bullpen, sending the Red Sox into the AL championship series with a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Shane Victorino’s infield single snapped a seventh-inning tie and journeyman Craig Breslow gave Boston a huge boost out of the bullpen, sending the Red Sox into the AL championship series with a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Koji Uehara got the final four outs — one night after giving up a game-winning homer — and the Red Sox rebounded to win the best-of-five playoff 3-1.

Back in the ALCS for the first time in five years, they’ll open at home Saturday against the Athletics or Tigers.

Tigers 8, Athletics 6

DETROIT (AP) — Max Scherzer escaped a major jam in relief and the Detroit Tigers — helped by two fans who reached out to reel in Victor Martinez’s disputed home run — rallied past the Oakland Athletics 8-6 on Tuesday to force a decisive fifth game.

Playing catch-up most of the way, the Tigers tied it first with Jhonny Peralta’s three-run homer in the fifth inning and then on Martinez’s solo shot in the seventh.

A couple of fans tried to catch Martinez’s drive, and at least one of them bobbled the ball as he reached over the railing above the wall — preventing right fielder Josh Reddick from having any chance at a leaping grab.

Reddick and center fielder Coco Crisp immediately protested, pointing up at the stands in the hope of a fan-interference call. But umpires upheld the home run after a replay review.